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New EPA Mandated Ethanol Fuel Harms Vehicles

The EPA's latest biofuel initiative may cause substantial damage to vehicles, but why let the effects of bad policy get in the way of implementing unnecessary, burdensome policy?

The EPA recently approved E15, a gasoline blend containing up to fifteen percent ethanol. According to AAA, less than five percent of cars on the road are approved by automakers to use E15. The AAA surveyed motorists and found that ninety-five percent hadn't heard of the new fuel.

Not only are consumers unaware of E15, but research indicates the newly approved biofuel may have damaging longterm affects on unapproved vehicles. According to AAA automotive engineering experts:

AAA automotive engineering experts also have reviewed the available research and believe that sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage and false “check engine” lights for any vehicle not approved by its manufacturer to use E15.

Per their official statement, "AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected," as they should.

The EPA's explanation is hardly satisfactory. In typical bureaucratic fashion, their statement provides a litany of links, all equally as vague as the statement iself. The gist of which is, "there's a new fuel, we granted some partial waivers, and it's lawful for certain manufacturers to sell E15," that's my paraphrasing of course. There is no direct mention of how E15 may harm vehicles.

This news follows the story that the EPA's biofuel mandate that will drive up the price of goods, adversely affecting the consumer. So not only is the biofuel mandate affecting consumers, rural communities and state economies, but now it will likely harm ninety-five percent of vehicles on the road. Nice work, EPA, nice work.

On the eve of this past election, we made a plea to toss-up states that are widely described as residing in coal country to understand that if President Obama were to emerge victorious, the EPA would soon unleash a slew of anti-coal regulations that would absolutely crush t

Chicken, Alaska is a tiny community 30 miles west of the Canadian border and about 300 miles east from Fairbanks. With an official population of 7, Chicken has no electrical service, telephones or central plumbing.

My sister and I were hanging out one weekend watching the Food Network, eating cookie dough and trying to stay cool; Texas summers are brutal. We ended up watching a food truck special that highlighted some of the best food trucks from cities all over the country. Oh My!

Recently, I reported on the ambiguous rules and potential conflicts of interest involved in the voluntary forest certification programs that are being encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This summer has been one of valuable education and clarification for me. In writing my last post on PolyFace Farms, I mentioned that I am spending the summer with friends on their working farm, Dazi Acres.

This is an open letter to William D. Ruckelshaus, Lee M. Thomas, William K. Reilly and Christine Todd Whitman. You, the former directors of the EPA who were appointed by Republican presidents, recently wrote an op-ed in the New York Times titled, A Republican Case for Climate Action.

Another day, another scandal. Since President Obama has taken office, government bureaucracies have taken part in systematic campaigns to silence liberty minded groups. While these partisan shenanigans are outrageous, Noble Prize winner James Buchanan explains they are to be expected. Dr. Buchanan developed a field of economics built around the idea that bureaucrats are merely human (surprise!). In other words, bureaucrats respond to incentives.

Earlier today, the First Department of New York State's Appellate Division upheld a ruling that struck down Mayor Bloomberg's controversial portion cap rule or "soda ban." The ban would've prohibited movie theatres and other restaurants and eating establishments from serving specific sugary beverages in quantities larger than 16 ounces.

New data shows Houston pulling ahead of New York City as the largest goods exporting region in the country. The cause? Texas' thriving economic climate, regulatory friendly environment, and energy boom. The state of Texas has been the nation's leading exporter for eleven consecutive years, so the shift in goods exports dominance isn't exactly surprising, but is certainly noteworthy.